Cyrill-Aimée Daudel (pictured) won first prize at the fifth annual Shure Montreux Jazz Voice Competition during this year’s Montreux Jazz Festival on July 12. More than 60 aspiring artists representing 29 countries entered the competition.

Out of the original 60 contestants, eight candidates were invited to perform at the competition’s semi-finals at the Petit Palais. The singers were all accompanied by the Dan Tepfer Trio of the U.S. The event concluded with Daudel being awarded first prize and the public prize. Laura Brunner was awarded the second prize, followed by Jennifer Ledesna receiving third prize (all from the U.S.).

Jazz legend Al Jarreau headed the competition jury for the second consecutive year. “All of you have already won," he said to the finalists. "You found something which fills your lives with pride and joy—your heart for music.”

Festival founder Claude Nobs hosted the awards ceremony, where the three finalists each received a Shure ULX/Beta 87 Wireless System, as well as cash prizes from the festival. First prize winner Daudel will perform at the 42nd Montreux Jazz Festival in 2008.